Citizen of the Year
The Winter Park & Fraser Chamber's Citizen of the Year honors a person or people who have exceptionally gone out of their way to improve the community in the past. They represent the very best of our community. The awardee is chosen by the most recent five award recipients and held in confidence until the Chamber's announcement. Additional awards, The Pioneer and Lifetime Achievement Awards, may be presented in conjunction with the Citizen of the Year Award. The Pioneer Award is given to individuals who have lived in the Winter Park – Fraser community for the past several decades and who have made an imprint on the way our community has developed.
Past Award Winners
2023
Citizens of the Year: Ed Raegner, business owner & volunteer
2022
Citizens of the Year: Cheryl Key, co-founder of the Grand County Blues Society, volunteer
Lifetime Achievement Award: Greg Foley of Grand County Search and Rescue
2021
Not awarded
2020
Citizens of the Year: Todd Holzwarth, East Grand Fire Chief | Dennis Soles, Assistance Chief, East Grand Fire
Lifetime Achievement Award: Jim Myers, former mayor of Winter Park and Town Council member | Robin Wirsing, businesswoman
2019
Citizens of the Year: Peggy Smith, realtor, and former mayor of Fraser
Pioneer Award Recipients: Louise & Graham Powers, ski, bike, and HTA volunteers
2018
Citizens of the Year: Jeff Davidson, businessman, Chamber Board Member, East Grand Fire Department Chair, Winter Park Ski Patrol
2017
Citizens of the Year: Jimmy Lahrman, former mayor of the Town of Winter Park
2016
Citizens of the Year: Megan Ledin, Executive Director, Grand Foundation | Scott Ledin, Director of Parks, Recreation & Golf, Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation District
Pioneer Award Recipients: Wendy Christensen | Janet Engel
2015
Citizens of the Year: John Catt, founder of the Grand County Blues Society, Blue Star Connection, Check out the Music Program
Pioneer Award Recipient: John Work
2014
Citizens of the Year: Kent and Jancie Hughes, patrons of the arts and community non-profit supporters
Pioneer Award Recipient: Deno Kutrumbos, restaurateur
2013
Citizen of the Year: Roger Hedlund, entrepreneur, and philanthropist
Pioneer Award Recipient: Hans & Hanne Eichler
2012
Citizen of the Year: Frannie Cook, former Mayor of Fraser
Pioneer Award Recipient: The Holzwarth
2011
Citizen of the Year: Lance Gutersohn, realtor
Pioneer Award Recipient: Dr. Andy Arnold
2010
Citizen of the Year: Bob & Suzanne Fanch, entrepreneurs and philanthropists
Pioneer Award Recipient: Harold Baker, owner of Sitzmark Ski Lodge
2009
Citizen of the Year: Gary DeFrange, former president of the Winter Park Resort
2008
Citizen of the Year: Ron Nelson, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Grand Foundation
2007
Citizen of the Year: Karen Vance, fine artist
Pioneer Award Recipient: The Engles
2006
Citizen of the Year: Joel Brownson, former Town of Winter Park council member
2005
Citizen of the Year: Jim Meyers, former mayor of Winter Park and Town council member
2004
Citizen of the Year: Kirk Klanke, president of the Colorado River Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited
2003
Citizen of the Year: Chris Seemann, former Town of Winter Park council member
2002
Citizen of the Year: Al White, businessman, member of Colorado senate, and director of the Colorado Tourism Office
2001
Citizen of the Year: Kent Meyer, Branch Manager at YMCA of the Rockies - Snow Mountain Ranch
2000
Citizen of the Year: Catherine Ross, executive director, Winter Park & Fraser Chamber
1999
Citizen of the Year: Jack Van Horn, local legend, ski patroller, and restauranteur
1998
Citizen of the Year: Jeff Johnston, businessman, and former president of the Colorado Roofing Association
1997
Citizen of the Year: Jerry Groswold, Fraser Valley ski pioneer
1996
Citizen of the Year: Jon De Vos, award-winning humor columnist, real estate broker, and property manager
1995
Citizen of the Year: Paul Lewis, photographer and realtor
1994
Not awarded
1993
Citizen of the Year: Robin Wirsing, businesswoman
1992
Not awarded
1991
Citizen of the Year: Nick Teverbaugh, former mayor of Winter Park
1990
Citizen of the Year: David McDougal, restauranteur
1989
Citizen of the Year: Don & Jan Smith | Susan Anderson
1988
Citizen of the Year: Mike & Jana LaPorte | Ron Jones
1987
Citizen of the Year: Dennis & Cyndi Saffell | Diana Lynn Rau, a founding member of the Headwaters Trails Alliance
1986
Citizen of the Year: Jim & Connie Johnson, property management business owners and patrons of the arts
1985
Citizen of the Year: Curt & Fern Herring, community non-profit supporters
1984
Citizen of the Year: Bob & Jeanenne Temple
